| Cliff Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 77 |
| Wins | 69 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 3 |
Cliff Thomas is a former American professional kickboxer, former professional boxer and actor from El Paso, Texas. [1] [2] [3] Known as "Magic", [4] [1] [2] [3] and "The Black Knight of Kickboxing", he is a former 7-time world champion, [4] [1] [3] across five weight divisions, [4] in the PKA, ISKA and KICK organizations between 1980 and 2003. [5] [6] [2] [7] [8] [9] He was also the STAR undisputed lightweight champion in 1980. [10] [11]
He was the first fighter in PKA history to win world titles in two separate weight divisions. The first kickboxer to win a world title in three different weight divisions. [3] [1] The first and only kickboxer of his time to become a four-time, five-time, six-time, and ultimately a seven-time world champion. [3] [1] He was never officially knocked down or knocked out in his career. [1] [3] Thomas is known for his southpaw stance, crab style defense and his left hook. [12] His final record is listed as 69 Wins, 5 Losses, and 3 Draws. [3]
Thomas underwent open-heart surgery as a child, leaving him with 152 stitches in the shape of a cross on his chest. [3] He was not expected to live past age twelve. Yet, Thomas began his martial arts journey in 1972 at the age of 14 in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. [1] [3] His first instructor was Robert Nava, under whom he trained and earned his Black Belt in 1976. [3] He also earned a fourth degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate and a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. [3]
His early training laid the foundation for a professional kickboxing career. To prepare for it, he began full contact training in 1979 under notable kickboxing instructors Demetrius Havanas and Ishmael Robles, [13] with Rocky Galarza serving as his primary boxing coach. [1] [3]
In August of 1980 Thomas defeated the previously undefeated Gordon Franks by 3rd round TKO to win the PKA Super Lightweight World Championship. [1] [2] [3] [10] [14] On January 24, 1981 Thomas defeated Richard Jackson by decision to retain world title. [1] [3] In April of 1981 Thomas knocked out Gary Ortiz in the 2nd round. [1] [3] While on Jul 24, 1981 Thomas beat previously undefeated Paul Vizzio by TKO on NBC SportsWorld to retain title. [1] [2] [3] [12] [15] Thomas finished out the year in November 1981 losing his world title to Paul Vizzio at Madison Square Garden. [1] [2] [8] [15] [10]
In May of 1982 Thomas defeated Tony Lopez by decision. [1] [3] On August 14, 1982 Thomas TKO'd Norris Williams in the 10th round to win the PKA Lightweight World Championship (becoming a two-division champion). [1] [3] [7] In November of 1982 he defeated Tony Gutierrez to retain Lightweight Title. [1] [3] On March 1983 Thomas lost a decision, and the Lightweight Title, to Tony Rosser. [1] [3] [7] [16] In August of 1983 he defeated Tony Rosser in a rematch to regain the Lightweight Title (becoming a three-time world champion). [1] [3] [7]
On February 16, 1984 Thomas defended his title with a 3rd round KO of Robert Visitacion. [1] [3] In April of 1984 he defeated Tommy Williams by 8th round TKO to win the PKA Light Welterweight World Championship (becoming a four-time champion and simultaneously holding two titles). [1] [2] [3] [17] On April 8, 1984 Thomas vacated the Light Welterweight title due to PKA rules preventing a competitor from holding multiple titles. [6] In August of 1984 he defended the Lightweight Title by TKOing England's Nick McClellan in the 7th round. [1] [3] On November 3, 1984 he defeated George Sorrell by 4th round TKO. [3]
In 1985 Thomas defended the Lightweight Title against Kevin Hillhouse, [1] [3] Gary Garner, [1] [3] [18] and Byron Robinson, [1] [3] winning all by KO. [1] [3] In 1985, Thomas fought Curtis Bush in a non-title bout in Atlanta, Georgia and lost by unanimous decision over five rounds. [19] In 1986 Thomas also lost the PKA World Lightweight title in a decision to Leo Loucks. [7] [20]
On March 14, 1987 Thomas KO'd Thomas Chesterfield in the 9th round to win the ISKA Light Welterweight World Championship (becoming a five-time champion). [1] [2] [5] [3] He later KO'd Chesterfield again in an 8th round rematch. [1] [3] In August of1988, Thomas defended his ISKA title by KO'ing Eric Melton in the 4th round. [1] On October 8, 1988 he defeated Davy Johnston by TKO in the 3rd round. [1] [3] [21]
Thomas retired, but came out retirement on May 25, 2002 and KO'd Canada’s Thomas Downing in the 5th round to win the KICK Middleweight World Championship (becoming a six-time champion). [1] [3] [9] Then on Sep 29, 2002 he KO'd North American Champion Michael Corleone to win another KICK World Championship (becoming a seven-time champion at age 45). [1] [3]
Between 1979 and 1987 Thomas was also a professional boxer. [22] During that time he compiled a record of 3 wins and only 1 loss against Humberto Lucero. [22] [23]
Thomas had acting roles in Lone Wolf McQuade starring Chuck Norris. [1] [3] He also had roles in the movies Key Witness as well as Paper Dragons. [1] [3]